Michael Maguire has held onto his job despite speculation the Wests Tigers coach would be sacked.
The club postponed a meeting last night to decide Maguire’s fate.
The club issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon confirming its decision.
Wests Tigers full statement
Following the thorough annual review of club’s football operations, Wests Tigers have confirmed that Michael Maguire will remain in his position as Head Coach.
In addition, the club has also confirmed several structural and procedural changes will take effect within the football department. These changes have the sole aim of ensuring the club continues to challenge itself in the way it operates in order to become a better performing organisation.
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said: “While we always understood this review and process would take time, it was the responsibility of the football committee to ensure all information was considered to make the right decisions for the club moving forward.
“Michael has been with the club over arguably its most challenging time with the COVID-19 pandemic, has overseen significant change both on and off the field throughout his tenure and, on behalf of all at Wests Tigers, I’d like to thank him for his effort so far.
“We are firmly committed to building a high performing club. With our strong financial position, increased investment and recent success of our pathways teams, the new Centre of Excellence and continued work on a South West academy, the arrival of Tim Sheens and his experience in NRL systems, this club is posed to reap the rewards of several years of hard work.
“We believe that through Michael’s vast experience and by continuing to challenge the way we operate, we will continue drive the high standards and behaviours needed to ensure we achieve our goals as a club.”
Wests Tigers players and coaching staff will return for pre-season training in November.
The Tigers have missed the finals for three straight seasons under Maguire’s leadership and have won just 38 per cent of games.
Maguire’s contract may have been part of the reason to allow the coach to stay on with the 47-year-old signing on until 2023.
If the club did sack Maguire it would have most likely created a messy legal battle.
Paul
Roar Guru
"If things could be fixed in 6 months then no organisation would be broken." Things don't have to be fixed in 6 months, but they have to show clear signs of heading in the right direction and/or not continuing as the Club has been for the past 2 or 3 seasons.
mushi
Roar Guru
A stable side sure. But sides that gutted their staff and changed structures I don't think you do. If things could be fixed in 6 months then no organisation would be broken. It will also be interesting if they focus on processes or the w/l.
Opposed Session
Roar Rookie
True, 49% would get you into the 8 this year though.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
There’s the right way, the wrong way and the F&@£ing Tigers way!
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Or as Madge puts it the F&@£ing Tigers Way
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I could list all the top line players the Tigers let go and all the top line players that the Pennies kept and but I can't be bothered it's well publicized. Why have the Pennies kept their best players? You can't blame it on a few beaches. Retention is just as crucial as recruitment and in the case of the Tigers . it's defined the club. Madge rejected Manly because he thought it was a basket case but he didn't understand he was rejecting a better roster which is what it's all about. Manly would be buggered if they let Turbo and Jake go just like the Tigers let Teddy , Fox and all the others go , it doesn't work. Put the Storm management in the Tigers 20 years ago and everything changes. The Titans and Knights haven't done much with the so called advantage they have over the Tigers and Pennies.
The Final Word
Roar Rookie
I always get silenced eventually. As Colonel Nathan R. Jessup said; "They can't handle the truth!"
mushi
Roar Guru
Other accounts got shut down hey
mushi
Roar Guru
Sheens didn't go that great either. One lightning in a bottle year amongst a 49% tenure
mushi
Roar Guru
"He is clearly the major part of the cancer that besets the club. " One hell of a cancer given no tigers coach has gotten away at 50% or better. Didn't know Madge could time travel
Onya.
Guest
What top line players have the Panthers been signing lately? That would be none... Way more players of first grade level are bought from Penrith every season, than Penrith buy. Most of the 30 man squad Penrith have, have come through Penrith. There’s also still a difference with the clubs you talked about . Newcastle & the Gold Coast. To Penrith, West ‘s, Parramatta. It’s just a fact that it’s harder to get the top line players to go to the clubs in the Western Suburbs. Always has been. They also don’t have the wealthy backers .
Onya.
Guest
That’s just some load of crap from your vivid imagination. What has most of the garbage you’ve texted about the clubs, got to do with these individual players. Want me to tell you Cardinal & Myrtle : Nothing!
Placepunter
Roar Rookie
My information from a mole in Wests Tigers is that they had 6 coaches short listed. They were all interviewed and then put through a series tests. After a few beers they assembled in the middle of Leichhardt Oval on the half way line. They were then questioned individually and as a group about their aspirations for the job, should they be chosen. They were informed that some of the support staff would have to go as clearly they'd contributed nothing. With that, the decision was clear, Madge had to stay as the problem was solved. The other coaches were thanked for their interest and sent on their way. The board told McGuire that they were right behind him and his job was safe. Nothing quite like the ring of confidence that comes from a board telling you that they're right behind you. With that, the board and Madge, picked up their white canes and were assisted from the field with guide dogs by their side.
Wayne Turner
Guest
It's clear the Wests Tigers board, and CEO are terrible at their job. They all need to be sacked.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
As CEO
souvalis
Roar Rookie
The clincher for me was when he made DWZ captain of the New Zealand national side.
the outsider
Roar Rookie
100% agree. You've nailed it
Placepunter
Roar Rookie
Paul, there's actually a ton of coaches out there who couldn't possibly do any worse than Madge. He's a one trick pony who's had his moments of glory. His used by date is past. He is clearly the major part of the cancer that besets the club. His blaming of his tools whilst berating all and sundry is a throwback to the days of dinosaurs. Has the vision of face slapping in the dressing rooms been released yet because that seems to be all that we haven't seen yet from Madge. Madge will get them fit as f*** for the first few games as he does every year. He just doesn't get that the season is long and players teams need to be managed physically and mentally. It'll just be a rinse and repeat of the last 3 seasons. A guest role as a drill sergeant on SAS or an assistant coaching role may be what he needs to aspire to. If it is an assistant role then obviously it can't be as "defence coach" as he's shown no ability at doing that. I can just see Madge talking to the players about defence: Ok boys, when we don't have the ball we need to work on "The Fence" , now let's all go around the ground with our paint and brushes and work on the fence.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Wow, what a ringing endorsement of the Coach! He will be so inspired turning up for work knowing how highly he is regarded by his bosses. Possibly only paying out the existing contract prevented the "review" from finding he isn't the guy, rightly or wrongly. What is it the pollies do - "never call for a review unless you know what the outcome will be", and if forced to you have to bury it for a few years so everyone forgets about it!
Paul
Roar Guru
7 or 8 months takes us through to April May, which should be 6 or 8 rounds into the season. We should have a pretty fair idea how most sides are going by then. I agree with your last comment though. My Dragons have exactly the same issue; both are dysfunctional joint ventures where the Board is the main problem but no-one's prepared to a) admit that and b) do anything about it. In one way I'd hope the Tigers & Dragons both crash & burn next season. By then, both Clubs would have had reviews which excluded the Boards, both would have tried fixes which failed, ergo it ain't the coach or players, it has to be what's left that's at fault.